Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings in Jesus' Name.
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES.
The Path that we walk with Jesus is Full of Excitement and it is Awesome. After serving in a tribal area for 33 long years with God's help - I felt that I am "PERFECT". But when God gave me a New Responsibility of taking care of my 9-month-old grandson Reuben, initially nothing was Perfect. What I like about my God is the way He talks to me corrects me and leads me step by step. I quickly realized how far away I am from perfection! In fact I felt most inadequate but I thank Him for His guidance through His Word and through the book "Quiet Moments for Working Women" by Mary Whelchel.
In the mission field I had not seen my lovely 4 children grow up, and now I cannot stop "Thanking God" for giving me another chance to see a precious child grow up. It is so awesome to watch Reuben do something different every day.
As I watch my grandson Reuben, my thoughts go to "Baby Jesus" whose Birthday we will all celebrate in a few weeks time. How dependent and vulnerable my Saviour was in Mary's arms. Why should my Saviour be born as a Baby and go through all the hardship, in the days when there were no pacifier to sooth him, no special tasty pre-prepared food to satisfy Him, growing up in most difficult circumstances and be dependent on a imperfect human being - Mary? Tears roll down as I think through every phase of my Saviour's growth and His pain and suffering to take away my sin. What can I do to say "Thank you" to Him? Thoughts rush through my mind...
My being away has given full responsibilities to all the missionaries, especially those helping in all the official work. I Thank God for the efforts and time and finance that has gone into the training of the missionaries and now they are equipped to lead the mission on! Tribals, yes, very little education for some of them, yes, and yet it is sooooooooo Awesome to see God moulding each of them and equipping them and giving them a vision to take the mission work forwards. Praise God.
Christmas time is fast approaching and all of us want to wish each one of you "A Christ Centered Christmas. We want to thank you for your prayers and sacrificial support towards RHS work.
Praise Points:
1.God enabling and equipping me for the new responsibility.
2. For the many opening for Remo as he travels to promote IMA work.
3. Mary completing her first semester exam in Stella Maris.
4.The male prisoners start Sunday prayer on their own if the RHS team is late. Please praise God for Sushil, Bhagwan and Biswanth who are taking leadership.
5. Released lady prisoner Niva Rani has got a job as a cook in a house.
6. The Children's Day in India - Nov 14th celebrated in Grand way in Saniyasiguda and Kadval. Both are koya tribal villages and in Kadval, 2 other near by village children also are coming regularly for the classes.
7. Starting of new work among the Halwi Tribe for the first time.
8. The Naxalite visited our center Rabaguda and questioned the missionaries and the local Koya people But did not ask the RHS work to close down here. Praise God.
Prayer Requests:
1.Remo for wisdom as he balances work and home.
2. Susan for wisdom as she manages the home and her MD studies.
3. Wisdom in his work for Mano as he changes to another team and a new Director at work.
3. David to accept Jesus and to do well his semester exam.
4. Mary to be a witness in her college and hostel and to stand first in her semester exams.
5. For all RHS Children to do well at School especially for the children of Swepan, John and Prakash.
6. Missionary Hannah fell off the motorbike in a jungle path and had only minor injuries. Praise God.
7. Niranjan Kuldeep gets on and off back pain. Please pray for a full cure.
8. For protection form the Naxalites for all the missionaries in this area.
9.The Bengali prisoners who are resisting the Sunday prayer to be touched by God.
10.Evangelist Sukdev's sister Saita is in a critical sate suffering from sickle cell Anemia. Please pray for a miraculous cure.
11.For many to accept Jesus during the Christmas programmes in all the villages and for the money to reach in time for these programmes.
Thank you once more for standing with us in your prayer and financial support - Please do not be worried if the support you can send to RHS work is very small - for you know that "Little drops of water makes the mighty Ocean".
The DD/cheque should be made in the Name of "MALKANGIRI DEVELOPMENT PROJECT" and send to:
Dr. Iris. G. R. Paul,
Founder Director,
Reaching Hand Society,
Malkangiri. P.O. / Dt,
Orissa - 764045.
May the Lord Bless each one of you and make you a channel of Blessing to others this Christmas season is our prayer.
Love and prayers,
Iris and the RHS Team.